Portugal
Portugal
Portugal


Year of EU entry: 1986
Capital city: Lisbon
Total area: 92 072 km²
Population: 10.6 million
Currency: Member of the eurozone since 1999 (€)
Schengen area: Member of the Schengen area since 1991
Portugal
Portugal

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GEOGRAPHY
Portugal is a coastal nation in southwestern Europe, located at the western end of the Iberaian Peninsula, bordering Spain (on its northern and eastern frontiers: a total of 1,214 km (754 mi)). Portuguese territory also includes a series of archipelagoes in the Atalantic Ocean (the Azores and Madeira ), which are strategic islands along western sea approaches to the Strait of Gibraltar. In total,


POLITICS

The President, elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage, has limited powers. The parliament has 230 members, whose mandate is for four years.


HISTORY

Portugal, a country with a rich history of seafaring and discovery, looks out from the Iberian Peninsula onto the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal's history has had a lasting impact on the culture of the country: Moorish and Oriental influences in architecture and the arts are prominent.
Over the past 3 000 years, Portugal has witnessed a constant ebb and flow of civilisations. Phoenician, Greek, Celt, Carthaginian, Roman and Arabic cultures have all left their imprint. In the 15th century, Portugal’s intrepid maritime explorers led by Vasco da Gama discovered new territories, leading to the accumulation of an overseas empire. At home, the university of Coimbra, established in 1290, is one of the oldest in Europe.



FAMOUS PEOPLE

Portugal has always been well represented in the arts. Famous poets include Luís de Camões and Fernando Pessoa. No less creative are the talents of international footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

FOOD AND DRINK
Each region of Portugal has its traditional dishes made with various kinds of meat and seafood. The country is particularly well known for its one hundred ways of cooking cod.





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Find Out: Which sea route did Vasco Da Gama’s expedition discover?